I will, from time to time bring attention to items that I think are cool.  The first one I would like to showcase is the GX5204 Wireless Handheld Color Pinhole Hidden Camera System.

You can buy this nifty little system for only $129.99 from Amazon.com What an amazing deal and a great way to get into the world of hidden video.

This unit is a small wireless system that boasts a 300 foot range.  The camera is so small that it can easily be hidden anywhere.  The receiver is has a a little screen and speaker so it can be used as a stand alone system without being connected to a VCR.

The monitor can easily connect to your VCR, DVR, TV, or even computer for viewing and or recording purposes.

Although it only comes with one camera, you can add up to two more compatible cameras.  Both the monitor and camera are powered by AC adapters but you can use batteries in them for more mobile or covert applications.

I should note that this unit is for indoor use only.  I imagine you could use it outdoors under the right conditions intermittently.

The system is getting rave reviews on Amazon.com.  Customers have rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars.  They report that the range is as advertised and the video quality is good.

This little system has James Bond written all over it.  I’m going to buy one just to play with.  If any of you have this unit or buy it please let me know what you think of it.  I’ll include the link to Amazon so you can buy it below.  It’s usually $210 but right now it’s only $129.99.

SVAT GX5204 Wireless Handheld Color Pinhole Camera System

This is a very controversial question.  I’m not even sure if it’s a question that can actually be answered.  There are so many varying points of view when it comes to this topic.  One thing that is certain is that it either is ethical or it isn’t.  Personally, I don’t think there is really any middle ground.

Let’s first look at the point of view that it is ethical.  There are many reasons why it may be ethical.

1. Maybe the person being video recorded is involved in illegal activity.  I think that in this case it is okay to use hidden video surveillance.
2. Maybe the person being video recorded is a loved one and involved in some sort of activity that may be harmful to them.  For example, maybe you are sure that your child is using drugs in the garage.
3. Maybe you you are sure that your significant other is cheating on you.  Hidden video footage can be very useful in a divorce case if it’s actually legal to secretly record someone in your area.
4. Maybe a business is studying shopping behavior.

Now, lets look at potential reasons why secretly recording someone may not be ethical.

1. Some believe that everyone has a right to their privacy regardless of the circumstances.
2. Secretly video recording someone may ruin a relationship if you are caught.  What if the person that you are recording happens to be innocent of the act that you suspect them of being guilty of.
3. The footage from hidden video surveillance may end up in the wrong hands and hurt someone in a way that you didn’t intend to.

As you can see there isn’t a real cut and dry answer to whether or not hidden video surveillance is the most ethical tactic.  You will have to use your own discretion.  If it’s legal, and you have thought it through then hidden video surveillance may be the right thing to do.

In years past you could buy a wireless video surveillance camera but you would likely have been unhappy with it’s performance. The quality of these units were mediocre at best. I’m sure you could fork out the big money and get some decent performing equipment but the devices available to Joe Public were more like toys than serious surveillance equipment.

One thing in this world that you can always count on is that any technology that we have today will be better tomorrow. That’s just the nature of the beast. This is especially true in the world of electronic devices.

The technology of wireless video surveillance has advanced exponentially over the past few years. One piece of technology that really has made a huge difference is the advent of external transmitters and receivers. Since the wireless video transmitter doesn’t need to be inside the camera, the hidden video cameras can be significantly smaller.

There are five components to wireless hidden video systems:

1. Video camera -  These are manufactured in all shapes and sizes these days.
2. Wireless video transmitter – You plug the video camera into this device.  It both transmits the wireless signal and provides power to the camera.
3. Wireless video receiver – This device receives the signal sent from the wireless video transmitter.  You plug the monitor and recording equipment into this device.
4. Monitor – This device allows you to view the video.
5. Recording Device – This device is usually either a video cassette recorder or a digital video recorder.

With a quality wireless video transmitter and receiver, your hidden video camera can transmit in excess of 3000 feet.  It’s important to understand that the ratings the manufactures give regarding effective range of these devices is for line of sight (LOS).  Line of sight refers to a clear, unobstructed, path between the transmitter and receiver.  When you factor in things like walls, building, trees, or variations in terrain, the range will be reduced and you will unlikely get the full rated range out of your wireless video equipment.

It’s possible to improve the range by expermienting with the positioning of both the transmitter and receiver.

With the high quality of equipment available today, you have many more options in terms of where you can hide the camera than ever before.